Baldness could soon be banished after researchers discovered how to use a person’s own cells to grow new hair.

The technique could also allow severe burns victims to produce new skin, complete with hair follicles and sweat glands.

It differs from conventional treatments because it ‘actually grows new follicles’ rather than stimulating or transplanting existing ones, researchers say.

‘Theoretically, we could carry this all out tomorrow but there are safety regulations so clinical trials must go ahead first,’ said Professor Colin Jahoda, of Durham University.

In tests of the technique, dermal papillae from the base of hair follicles were used to grow hair on human skin that was grafted on to the backs of mice. It led to new hair growth that lasted only six weeks, but the researchers believe the follicles would keep going much longer if they were introduced to a human scalp.

The method offers hope for millions of people said by experts to be caused ‘major psychological distress’ by their hair loss.

But Prof Jahoda predicted it would be used sooner on burns victims.

‘On the cosmetic side, people are looking for re-growth of hair that’s the same shape, size, angle, and some of these issues may require engineering solutions,’ he said.

‘The skin replacement side is more likely to develop quicker, which would be a really big step.’